Minister: WSC not asked comment on Albany
Tuesday August 19 2008 By ERICA WELLS NG Managing Editor ewells@nasguard.com
The Water and Sewerage Corporation was not asked to comment on the billion-dollar Albany development at the initial stages of the project’s approval, Minister of Environment Earl Deveaux confirmed to The Nassau Guardian yesterday.
The 500-plus acre luxury resort community development sits atop one of the largest freshwater lenses on the island, and the thickest part of the lens is in the vicinity of Albany.
It is a decision that Deveaux described as “unusual”, but pointed out that the fact that the corporation was not involved did not mean the appropriate technical advice was not given. He said that would have been handled through the BEST Commission in the Environmental Impact Assessment process — completed in 2005 — which Water and Sewerage was not asked to comment on.
“It is unusual but not unheard of,” Deveaux said. (Water and Sewerage) only recently became involved in reviewing the (Albany) EMP (Environmental Management Plan).”
But the fact that Water and Sewerage was not involved at the initial stages has sparked some concern.
“It’s insane that Water and Sewerage is not a part of every single development in this country, particularly when it sits on top of a water table,” said Sam Duncombe, an Albany development outspoken opponent who has come under heavy fire from the developers. They have accused her of instigating “bad press” on the project.
Concerns surrounding the golf course and marina include contamination of the water table from the use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides on the golf course and saltwater intrusion from construction of the Albany marina, which will breach Adelaide Beach, cutting the beach in half.
Developers, who insist that the project will not “damage or hamper” the water table, have detailed the measures it will take to protect the water table, such as the installation of a barrier of steel sheet piles between the ocean and freshwater lens, ‘fool-proof’ liners for the golf course lakes — which have been reduced by 40 acres — the use of environmentally-friendly products, daily testing and regular checks of monitoring wells. The development of a Reverse Osmosis plant and waste water management facility will also make it possible for Albany not to draw any water from the water table, according to developers.
The 500-page EMP was approved in February 2008 and is part of the developers’ three-year process to meet environmental regulations and gain final approval for the luxury golf and beach club development. It provides information and guidelines for construction staff and project managers relating to the project’s environmental goals. The Nassau Guardian has submitted a formal request for a copy of the EMP.
Water and Sewerage consultants prefer that the water table not be disturbed.
Asked what Water and Sewerage recommended when it came to preserving existing groundwater, corporation consultant Dr. Richard Cant said W&S always recommends protecting groundwater resources, but the “policy/decision makers decide what will be allowed based on all considerations”.
Cant had also previously said the development would in fact impact the water table in the immediate area, and that he would have not recommended an inland marina.
But despite the concerns, Deveaux said there was no need for a review of the environmental impact the golf course and marina might have on the area. He said the two facilities are being developed at the “highest standards”.
“We have made a decision to support the project and strike a balance between economic opportunities and environmental impact,” said Deveaux. “You can’t do development without damage.”
The environment minister described Albany and the South Ocean developments as “done deals” and said any lessons learned from the process should be carried over into future developments.
The government, Deveaux said, is presently looking at amending the Water and Sewerage Act, among other laws, to address issues related to water resources and water quality, among others.
Duncombe wants government to go a step further — impose the “strictest green standards” and ensure that nothing impacts the island’s already vulnerable water resources.
She also wants developers to “stop hiding behind government approvals” and take it upon themselves to ensure that their developments are “green”.
“Our water lens is our insurance policy,” said Duncombe. “Should we ever have a situation where we could not purchase fuel to run RO plants, at least we know we could tap into that, but only if it’s clean and uncontaminated.”